Two+ years of teacher education at BYU and an ESL certification program. Practicum experience in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades in Wasatch, Alpine, and Nebo school districts. One year of teaching my own class in Provo then off to California- teaching in Manhattan Beach for three years (while completing the dreaded two year BTSA induction program) to finally be considered competent in the classroom and officially CERTIFIED with my clear credential.
The highs. The lows. 102 homeroom students and many a lesson plan later.....
and now I have turned in my key.
*Sigh* (with relief, exhaustion, a little sadness, and a lot of fond memories.)
Although I haven't been officially teaching the last seven months, a few weeks ago I moved out of my dear classroom once and for all. I thought for sure I could just take an hour or two packing up a few boxes of stuff and be done with it. But three 6-hours-of-work days later I was still debating what to keep and what to leave for other teachers to rummage through. Teachers collect A LOT of.... stuff!! Well, I ended up keeping just the "bare necessities" and trinkets that have memories attached to them, and then a few things I think Becca (my sis in law also going into teaching) might want for her classroom someday.
It was difficult throwing out (or recycling) 4 boxes worth of files!! Yikes! But I figured if I do go back to teaching some day, will I really be back in 4th Grade? And in California for that matter? (4th grade's main curriculum is State History.) Not to mention the incredible invention of Google and such. Hopefully a lot of the stuff I had on file has become an internal part of me anyway. :)
I know I eventually became a really effective teacher, too, that hopefully made a difference in a few kids lives. I know I will often think about all that I learned with the hundreds of students and great teachers that I worked with.
I am really proud of myself. So there. I just wanted to toot my own horn for a minute. But I guess thats what blogs are all about sometimes, right?
My Team Mates
I think I do want to go back someday when my own kids are school age or older. Try a different grade, or maybe start my own preschool like my mom did for several years. I really do love teaching so much. I am so grateful to have come from a family of teachers and life-long learners. You all have inspired me.
A few more memories...
Celebrate Utah Program
"Geology Rocks" Class Play
Field Trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano
Stephen visiting the class.
"Oh, How we've changed!" Time Capsules
Too many more to post. Thanks for the good times!
3 comments:
You LIVED my dream of becoming a teacher. I am so proud of all you have done and become. Now the teaching really begins...for your own children.
You have made me so excited to finally be a teacher! How lucky I am to have such great sister in laws who can help me!! :)
oh juls!
I still remember each and every one of my elementary teachers. I'm sure your sweet kids will never forget you and remember what a fun time you made learning.
i miss seeing you.
oh, was that you I spotted at graduation?
bee
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